Create Digital Music has introduced the MeeBlip, a digital MIDI mono synthesizer designed by James Grahame of Reflex Audio and Retro Thing.

It’s designed to be affordable, hackable, and most of all, playable. It’s an open source hardware instrument, but it isn’t just for hackers. You can unpack it, do some very basic assembly of the complete kit, and be making sounds from a MIDI keyboard or other controller within minutes.

And if you are interested in hacking it, from simple modifications to reprogramming the sound, we’ll be putting up lots of resources that help you learn how to do that. That said, the reason we’re excited to have our own MeeBlips is simple: we have fun playing them.

MeeBlip features

Out of the box, a monophonic virtual analog synth.

Eight user-definable knobs and sixteen slide switches, for hands-on control with the immediacy of a classic monosynth.

Tasty digital synth sounds.

Use it as-is, or use the source code to remap controls or completely redefine the instrument’s architecture.

Available ready for simple, solder-free assembly with a case, or as a kit, all on a single board. Build your own, or make a different project with the MeeBlip sound engine.

8-bit digital brain.

MIDI input.

4-pole active low-pass antialising filter.

Open source hardware. Modify anything, buy some kits and sell your own builds, or make new projects.

A MeeBlip Quick Build Kit (includes an assembled board, case, and everything you need – no soldering required) ships internationally for $129 USD. A full board kit and bare PC board (with programmed MCU and DAC) are also available at $79 and $39 USD respectively.